What I said at the NWCLA Candidate’s Night

Subject what I said at the North Worcester County Landlord’s Association Candidates Night October 27th
DateCreated 10/28/2011 8:29:00 AM
PostedDate 10/28/2011 5:29:00 AM
I can’t speak to other communities in our region, but I can say that the city of Fitchburg has a difficult relationship with investor owners. The drumbeat for more demolition was hard to miss at the last debate among incumbent and future councillors. “The city would be a better place if only we could tear more buildings down,” they said. I’ve been behind the scenes at the city during the demolition discussions. The amount of institutional energy that goes into that process is phenomenal.

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Maybe it’s time instead for a different approach. After all, if we’re going to add more police officers, more streetlights and more hours for the library, we’re going to need more tax revenue. Vacant lots are great trash collectors, but lousy revenue generators. We need properly managed rental properties as part of our urban landscape.
Not all investor owners are outsiders looking to squeeze every cent they can out of their property, not caring who they rent to, how their tenants behave, or how their properties look from the outside. But there are undeniably too many owners who are in it for the short haul – not to invest in a property, but to turn a quick buck, run their properties down and then walk away when the rents stop and the code enforcement citations begin piling up.
But you and I know that the real problems aren’t so simple. Factors like the bad economy, high unemployment, low property values, the high costs of renovation and the restrictive lending policies of banks are the real culprits.
It is these factors which undermine even the most responsible investor owners in their efforts to manage their properties effectively. Most of you are probably responsible property owners. To many of you, property management is an exhausting 24/7 job to identify stable tenants and keep your properties in good condition, so that they become successful investments. This is what the city needs more of – and needs to support.
So how do we work together to support our mutual self interests – stable neighborhoods that decent tenants aren’t afraid to rent in, that lenders aren’t afraid to lend to, and in which responsible owners can realize a solid return on their investments?
While there are no easy answers, we can work together in meaningful ways – like in Fitchburg’s Elm Street neighborhood, where the city has made street and sidewalk improvements, increased police presence and financed new construction in concert with private owners making improvements to their properties, and participating in the local neighborhood association. The city needs to see more neighborhood-based organizations and more committed investors willing to participate.
Another idea I’d like to discuss with you is whether we can mutually agree on a common set of management principles for property ownership – standards that allow the city to recognize and partner with responsible owners, while aggressively pursuing those irresponsible owners that give landlords a bad name.
We need responsible owners if we are to become a safer, more prosperous city. And you, as responsible owners need cooperation and help from the City if you are to operate as successful business owners. And committed city councillors need to be part of such an effort.
I’m one of several new faces on the political scene in Fitchburg. The city needs new people, with fresh ideas and a willingness to think in the long term. I’m David Streb, and for those of you from Fitchburg, I’d appreciate one of your votes. Thank you.

 

What I said at the Councillor-At-Large Debate

Subject what I said at the Councillor at large debate
DateCreated 10/27/2011 6:04:00 AM
PostedDate 10/27/2011 3:04:00 AM
I think we can all agree that the City of Fitchburg is today facing some of the greatest challenges in its history. In times like these, our best asset lies in our ability to work together to face these challenges. What is happening instead is that we are acting on a local level just like the Republicans and Democrats on the national level – voting for and against critically important matters strictly on the basis of who proposes them – not on their merits.

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If we as a city are going to move forward on such critical matters as the supplemental budget for more police officers and more hours for the library, turning on our streetlights, using grant funds for downtown improvements, or allowing voters to decide whether to approve a debt exclusion to fix our streets, we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot and start working together for YOU the voters. The nature of the Councillor at Large position is different from Ward Councillor. Councillors at Large represent the city as a whole. It’s essential that you elect candidates who can put the city ahead of politics.
I pledge to you tonight that if I am granted the honor and privilege of representing you as Councilor at large that I will never vote on an issue for any reason other than whether it will serve the best interests of this great city.
You’ve heard from several at-large candidates tonight that represent real change for Fitchburg. This city needs new faces – new blood and new ideas to represent you, the voter. This is my first time running for office, but I worked for this city for over 27 years. I know how to get things done and how to work with people on both sides of the aisle. I’m David Streb, and I’d appreciate one of your votes. Let’s work together to improve our great city. Thank you.

 

What I said at Destare Candidate’s Night

Subject what I said at Destare Candidate’s night
DateCreated 10/27/2011 6:06:00 AM
PostedDate 10/27/2011 3:06:00 AM
1. What do you believe is the single biggest catalyst for change in Fitchburg, how would you bring about that change, and, given the current fiscal climate, how would you pay for your proposal?

What’s the biggest catalyst for change in this city? Downtown housing. People living downtown shop downtown and bring life to downtown. The Johnsonia fire was devastating, and my heart goes out to everyone affected by that tragedy. We need to have those 47 units of housing replaced.

I hear the Town View Tower project on Prichard Street is back on track, and will create about 100 senior citizen apartments. There’s also a proposal for student housing at North and Main Streets that’s looking for financing. We should do what we can to encourage that. People living downtown buy things, they keep an eye on the street, and bring life downtown, making it safer.

If the Johnsonia has to be demolished, please resist the pressure to make another parking lot for someone – Fitchburg needs the economic vitality downtown that housing brings!

Housing near downtown is the most effective & most realistically available solution to an economically healthy downtown. And a healthy downtown benefits the entire city.

Second, we would like you to talk about downtown.
2. What have you done professionally or civicly to improve Main Street and the downtown area?

Regarding what I’ve done for downtown, I’ve been involved in many downtown projects over the years. An early project of mine when I worked for the city was the widening of lower Main Street near Moran Square, with new sidewalks and trees. We fixed the flooding that used to occur after every heavy rain storm. The same grant program helped pay to replace the Main Street parking garage. Another replaced the sidewalks on a large stretch of Elm Street. I was personally involved in all these projects.

More recently, I wrote and managed the grant that made Sawyer Passway a public way that helped Micron, a major downtown employer. I also wrote two grants for Putnam Place. The North Street Corridor Project was the brainchild of my office. We wrote the planning grants that began it back in the early 90’s, and the construction grants that built it – all three phases.

Moving the flood wall at Riverfront Park was my project as much as anyone’s. I think it looks great, and makes the park much more attractive from downtown. By the way, a hatch shell or bandstand would not have been eligible or competitive under the state grants we obtained – it had to be a river-based improvement.

We have got to learn to work together, put political differences behind us, and reduce the divisiveness that exists between council and the mayor for the good of the city. I can give several examples of how that’s hurt us in the past. Last year the state combined two major grant programs into one infrastructure program, but all applicants have to have shovel ready projects to apply. Last fall the Mayor came to city council with an appropriation for CDBG money to design a project that could have been funded, but council refused to approve it! Even though it was all federal money, and it would have allowed the city to apply for millions of dollars to build Main Street improvements, City Council said no!

Earlier, City Council voted against the River Street Smart Growth District & its unrestricted $600,000, which was barely saved by a reconsideration at their next meeting. Two meetings ago city council prevented the residents of this city from voting whether we want to borrow money to pave the streets. And at the last meeting city council wouldn’t pass a no-cost petition to support the Longsjo race three days after Terry Longsjo died, after it was clearly explained by the Council president that the petition had been modified to use only funds already appropriated! Politics at its worst.

3. Outside of any government service, and as a citizen of Fitchburg, what have you personally done to improve or contribute to our downtown area?

As a resident, I shop at Shacks. I go to Chaibo and Destare, I go to Espresso Pizza and The Rabbit Hole and The Boulder and City Hall Cafe. I get crab rangoon from the Fitchburg Jade way too often. I ran the Brewers Festival at Riverfront Park three years straight, I help every year with the Blacksmith Festival, I’ve picked up trash along Blossom Street several times. I helped my daughter and her husband move into 470 Main Street.

4. If you were granted the ability and financial resources to make one change to Main Street, what would it be?

As for what I’d do if granted the resources, at the lower end of Main Street, I’d finance a housing project at North & Main Street, to bring more college-aged students downtown, and finance the reconstruction of the Johnsonia building.

At the upper end, I’d make it possible for west-bound traffic on Main Street approaching the Boulder to go directly up Mechanic Street instead of going around the Upper Common. And I’d fix those traffic lights at the two intersections at the Upper Common while I was at it. Thank you, and please don’t forget to vote.

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Health

Subject Health
DateCreated 8/10/2011 4:22:00 PM
PostedDate 8/10/2011 4:22:00 PM
Body I’m in Leominster Hospital with my buddy Jon. He seems OK, but he sure scared the crap outta me. I mean, there’s zoidolating and there’s zoidolating!

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Democracy

Subject Democracy
DateCreated 5/15/2011 3:18:00 PM
PostedDate 5/15/2011 12:18:00 PM
Body From all reports, the roundabout at the intersection of John Fitch Highway, Mechanic Street, Rindge Road, and Ashby State Road is working very well. People are very happy with how the intersection is performing. Previously, it was intolerable to many people.

When we had a public hearing about the intersection improvements, people roundly criticized the idea of a roundabout, and were adamantly opposed to anything but a traffic light. Some people angrily accused the government of “shoving a rotary down our throats when we want a traffic light”! I guess in a sense they were right – we did shove it down their throats, in a manner of speaking. And now, as far as I know, they are quite happy that we did.

Sometimes democracy doesn’t work. Knowledgeable government officials sometimes make the right decisions over the objections of the public. I’d love to hear from anyone who feels otherwise. {who isn’t selling Gucci handbags}

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Stuff

Subject stuff
DateCreated 4/9/2011 2:01:00 PM
PostedDate 4/9/2011 11:01:00 AM
I’m running for Councillor At Large. I know some of you may prefer the spelling “Councilor” but that’s the way the city clerk wrote it on the nomination form, and that’s good enough for me.

Also, the traffic lights at the upper common still aren’t fixed, and the city has apparently lost that grant that would have paid for it. It was stimulus money and so had to be spent on time. I can’t help but feel that I should have done more badgering about it.

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Alcohol in Church

Subject Alcohol in church
DateCreated 1/9/2011 3:34:00 PM
PostedDate 1/9/2011 12:34:00 PM
Our church newsletter informs me that the Executive Board voted to ban alcohol at all church-sponsored functions at its last meeting.  So I went and spoke to the Board today about how I felt – that the decision was draconian and unfair. But I have mixed feelings about it.  My excessive empathic nature once again rears its ugly head.  I feel for alcoholics – those of us who can not control their drinking of alcohol and whose excessive use results in negative health and/or social issues for them – and the difficulty they have in being around people that are drinking.  I know two people trying to quit smoking, and they’ve relapsed largely because of their friend’s smoking around them. Alcohol is probably worse.

But why should the rest of us suffer who like moderate drinking?  And more importantly, why take away a potential recruiting tool to get more people to come to the church?  The ability to drink fine ales at the pasta supper enhanced the experience significantly for me.

Maybe I’m being selfish, and the amount of harm done to others by serving alcohol exceeds the amount of pleasure I receive from its serving – that’s the sort of thing that’s difficult to quantify.  But I said my piece to the Board and the people elected to serve the church can make the best decision for the membership as they see fit.

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Crabby

Subject crabby
DateCreated 1/5/2011 6:52:00 PM
PostedDate 1/5/2011 3:52:00 PM
That stupid light {at the Upper Common} still isn’t fixed.  How can people stand it when they go home that way?

And I heard that the Zoning Board of Appeals made the guy that bought Gamarche’s (Allen who used to own Center Pizza when it was next to what used to be Stooges) reset the granite curbing and install new sidewalks in front of the building where he wants to make a restaurant.

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An Expression of Extreme Frustration

Subject WTF?
DateCreated 10/17/2010 7:06:00 PM
PostedDate 10/17/2010 6:53:00 PM
I’m tired of waiting at that damn light at the Upper Common. The first light goes red on the eastbound approach on Rollstone Street and the second goes red TWELVE SECONDS LATER.  And all the while everyone at the south end of the common has to wait and idle and waste gas and pollute the air.

And if you’re first in line on northbound/westbound Main Street you haul ass when the light turns green so you can make the left turn at the other set of lights at the end of the common and continue on Main Street before the light turns red.  Which it does for everyone else in line behind you, or you if you weren’t first.

And it was ALL READY TO GO last February 1st.  I had a consultant under contract, had a scope of work from them with an acceptable price, I had a grant to pay for it that the EPA is dying to see spent, and I had finally gotten the paperwork straight on the grant part of it.

I have to presume they think they’ll need all that money for the LED lights they’re installing on city-owned streetlights.  I like LED lights, although it’s a little alarming how often the traffic signal lenses go out.  I just hope to God that money doesn’t go to another community, instead of fixing those lights!  Those lights drive me insane sometimes.

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Stuff I was working on

Subject stuff I was working on
DateCreated 9/28/2010 10:12:00 AM
PostedDate 9/28/2010 9:52:00 AM
Body Riverfront Park – That was completed, and we had a great brewers festival there as the first event at the park.  Kudos to those at the city responsible (mainly Amy LeBlanc and Larry Casassa)

Putnam Place Access – that was completed also, thanks to the above two people.

Central Steam Plant – I heard that a portion of the rear has been demolished, but less than we had discussed (and had hoped).  I haven’t seen it, but this is another accomplishment in my absence, in all likelihood, thanks to Larry Casassa.

South Fitchburg School RFP selection and sale.  This was number 1 on my list, because it represents a direct cash infusion to the city when it’s completed and sold.  I think they’re getting there, but it still isn’t a done deal.

EECBG – Upper Common Lights – This would have been underway by March 1 and would have been completed by now if I had stayed.  This drives me nuts, especially when I drive through the upper common.  I wonder if the EPA will have the cojones to take away the money from the city for not meeting the expenditure deadline if it comes to that.  I thought this was really innovative stimulus funding, but it simply hasn’t worked out.

Demolition – Long delayed, but it’s finally happening now, thanks to Larry Casassa.

$3K additional from the state that we owed to Concord Square for the smart growth district preparation (for which the city received $600,000).  This may have fallen through the cracks.

Conduit Hydro – My brainchild and pet project.  I sure hope it’s progressing. I heard the city got the grant in March that I had applied for.  I also heard there were issues with the consultant contract that I thought I had all ready to go.

Wind Power grant – nothing I’ve heard.  Hope wind power in northern Fitchburg happens some day.

Redevelopment of Pete’s Battery site – no progress here that I’m aware of.

Green Community designation – Fitchburg was informed we got a “grant” to help with adoption, but I suspect nothing’s happened with it, or this designation either.

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